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Chandlers Ford “Falcons” |
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HIGHLAND WATER :NEW FOREST IN WINTER |
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Visiting the New Forest in late winter has two main advantages:
a) there are many winter visitors to see, and b) early breeding birds are already displaying.
Highland Water enclosure offers these two points in a spectacular way. The mixed vegetation of conifers, mature deciduous trees and open clearings provides wide ranging environments. The Highland Water stream also provides an interesting habitat.
On a cold morning, with the temperature at 2.5oC, my arrival at the car park was greeted by a feeding Nuthatch on a large Beech, a calling Marsh Tit was also very active. Walking through the stands of mature beech, Stock Dove called and Tree creeper showed close views as it sped quickly up a tree. The area of Beech and isolated holly is a prime area for Firecrest ,however their distinctive calls were not evident, perhaps a bit early for full song. My disappointment was short lived however, with close views of one of the Highland Water “specials”: a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. This very small woodpecker (sparrow size) is one of the challenges to see for birdwatchers. In fact once there is leaf on the trees it becomes almost impossible to see. This beautiful marked woodpecker feed in the tops of trees; my first one was a female, and it was joined by its noisy male calling “Kik-Kik”. This sighting was quickly followed by the other two species found in the UK: Green Woodpecker and Great spotted woodpecker. Thrushes were very evident in the woodland with both Mistle Thrush and Song Thrush in full song. However it was clear it was still winter with a sighting of 20 Redwings: winter visitors to the County. Crossbills are one of the “specials” of Highland Water; they bred early in the year, sometimes in January, and several pairs were seen, but the best sighting was a winter flock of 20, with many males. Siskins are regular breeders in the New Forest; in Highland Water they are common, the brilliant coloured males display in their dancing flight. One species, not yet active in Highland Water was Woodlark; they were not holding territory and not in song. One species that was holding territory was Grey Wagtail, the stream being a breeding habitat. My return to the car was highlighted with a sighting of a Firecrest. Its flourishing ascending song portrayed its presence. All in all quality was the order of the day rather then quantity, with 30 species seen on the morning.
Derek Lister |